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Description
More than eighty designs–iconic, archaic, quotidian, and taboo–that have defined the arc of human reproduction.
While birth often brings great joy, making babies is a knotty enterprise. The designed objects that surround us when it comes to menstruation, birth control, conception, pregnancy, childbirth, and early motherhood vary as oddly, messily, and dramatically as the stereotypes suggest. This smart, image-rich, fashion-forward, and design-driven book explores more than eighty designs–iconic, conceptual, archaic, titillating, emotionally charged, or just plain strange–that have defined the relationships between people and babies during the past century.
Each object tells a story. In striking images and engaging text, Designing Motherhood unfolds the compelling design histories and real-world uses of the objects that shape our reproductive experiences. The authors investigate the baby carrier, from the Snugli to BabyBjörn, and the (re)discovery of the varied traditions of baby wearing; the tie-waist skirt, famously worn by a pregnant Lucille Ball on I Love Lucy, and essential for camouflaging and slowly normalizing a public pregnancy; the home pregnancy kit, and its threat to the authority of male gynecologists; and more. Memorable images–including historical ads, found photos, and drawings–illustrate the crucial role design and material culture plays throughout the arc of human reproduction.
The book features a prologue by Erica Chidi and a foreword by Alexandra Lange.
Contributors
Luz Argueta-Vogel, Zara Arshad, Nefertiti Austin, Juliana Rowen Barton, Lindsey Beal, Thomas Beatie, Caitlin Beach, Maricela Becerra, Joan E. Biren, Megan Brandow-Faller, Khiara M. Bridges, Heather DeWolf Bowser, Sophie Cavoulacos, Meegan Daigler, Anna Dhody, Christine Dodson, Henrike Dreier, Adam Dubrowski, Michelle Millar Fisher, Claire Dion Fletcher, Tekara Gainey, Lucy Gallun, Angela Garbes, Judy S. Gelles, Shoshana Batya Greenwald, Robert D. Hicks, Porsche Holland, Andrea Homer-Macdonald, Alexis Hope, Malika Kashyap, Karen Kleiman, Natalie Lira, Devorah L Marrus, Jessica Martucci, Sascha Mayer, Betsy Joslyn Mitchell, Ginger Mitchell, Mark Mitchell, Aidan O’Connor, Lauren Downing Peters, Nicole Pihema, Alice Rawsthorn, Helen Barchilon Redman, Airyka Rockefeller, Julie Rodelli, Raphaela Rosella, Loretta J. Ross, Ofelia Pérez Ruiz, Hannah Ryan, Karin Satrom, Tae Smith, Orkan Telhan, Stephanie Tillman, Sandra Oyarzo Torres, Malika Verma, Erin Weisbart, Deb Willis, Carmen Winant, Brendan Winick, Flaura Koplin Winston
From the Publisher
Publisher : The MIT Press (Sept. 14 2021)
Language : English
Hardcover : 344 pages
ISBN-10 : 0262044897
ISBN-13 : 978-0262044899
Item weight : 907 g
Dimensions : 18.26 x 2.44 x 26.04 cm
This catalog is a design object to behold. Was lucky enough to see the exhibition in Philadelphia when it was on view at the Mütter Museum, and was thrilled to purchase and receive the book a month ago. The tactile fabric wrapped on its cover, archival full-color and black and white images, and striking typeface and design renders this object fully as a piece of beautiful design and not just merely a book catalog. Its pages contain an unparalleled and unflinching look at motherhood in all its gore and glory. Was proud to look through this with my daughter. Rare for our times, and forcefully executed. It didnât surprise me one bit to see this book and its exhibition recommended by the New York Times while featured in other news outlets. Itâs fantastic.
Having been unable to visit the exhibition (yet!) I really enjoyed this book. Having close friends and family members go through the process of motherhood recently, it was fascinating to read about the design history of some of the object and practices involved. The content is very well written and engaging. To top it all off, the book is beautifully put together and takes pride of place on my coffee table – it’s always a talking point when people come to visit.
Dear Elizabeth,Respectfully, we disagree â and so do several national and international design awards that have recognized the Designing Motherhood book for its graphic design.But, each to their own 🙂 We understand that not everyone will like this design, or its very intentional polyvocal contributors and varied topics, or its organizing principle â but weâre glad that many folks do.Kindle is definitely not in the cards for this book. We always intended this as a beautifully designed book you must hold in your hands. We hope you grow to love its pink pages, and if not, please give it to someone you think might.Yours kindly,Michelle and Amber
Millar Fisher and Winick and their collaborators have done an incredible job of making what is ostensibly an academic book on design history into an accessible, heartwarming and heartbreaking tale of how design decisions impact all aspects of our lives from before we are even born. Eminently readable and beautifully designed, I find myself going back to sections of this book over and over and learn something new every time. This is a major contribution to a (thankfully) growing area of research in cultural studies. Highly recommended for anyone interested in cultural studies, art, design, feminist studies, womenâs history, fashion, advertising, medical history, etc.